The semi-truck accident lawyers at Sawan and Sawan have handled hundreds of accidents which have included serious truck accidents. We are experienced in the handling of these accidents from the beginning of the accident and throughout the case until the case is resolved or litigated. If you are involved in a truck accident, please call us immediately to protect yourself from a large trucking company. The sooner you call a lawyer, the better. The consultation is free and we do not receive any fees unless and until we recover compensation for your accident.
Semi-Truck Accidents in Toledo, Ohio
Toledo is a major transportation hub as it is near I-75, I-280, I-475, and the Ohio Turnpike. Thousands of trucks travel through this major thoroughfare on a daily basis. Because of this, truck accidents frequently occur. Due to a truck’s size, these accidents usually cause severe damage to both property and people. Nationally, in 2021 there were in excess of 523,000 truck accidents. Over 100,000 caused injuries while 4,444 resulted in fatalities. One of the reasons is that Toledo is a major logistics corridor as it is near Lake Erie, the railroads, and interstate highways. Geographically, with I-75, I-280, I 475 and the Ohio turnpike close by, it is a critical link to the Midwest. It also is close to Detroit, Michigan and Canada. The port of Toledo moves vast amounts of grains, coal, and steel. It connects with global markets via the St. Lawrence Seaway. As to railroads, both CSX and Norfolk Southern run through Toledo bringing commodities to the Midwest. For all of this, it is a highly congested travel area with trucks, cars, boats, and railroads passing through Toledo.
The Law Governing Semi-Truck Accidents
Trucks are governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. These regulations cover hours of service, truck maintenance and inspection, CDL driver qualifications, drug and alcohol testing, and the transportation of hazardous materials. Ohio trucking regulations are similar to the federal regulations. They cover rules for transport of both intrastate and interstate travel. They also restrict weight and size limits, safety inspections, and fuel and tax registration. It is important to hire an experienced semi-truck accident lawyer who knows both sets of regulations.
Common Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents
Truck accidents are caused by a variety of reasons. Long-haul truckers overdrive which results in exhaustion and slowing reaction times. Using mobile devices causes distractions which can lead to serious accidents. As trucks require more time to stop, reckless driving and speeding significantly increases the risk of accidents. Not properly maintaining the truck causing worn tires, faulty brakes, or mechanical failures often lead to serious accidents. The harsh weather conditions in Ohio result in slippery and dangerous conditions. Impaired driving prevents a driver from safely operating the truck. Trucks have significant blind spots which hinder a driver’s vision. Accident risks are also increased due to congestion on the interstate highways and sudden stops by a truck in the middle of the highway.
What To Do After a Semi-Truck Accident?
Truck accidents usually involve serious injuries. If involved in an accident with a truck, if possible move your vehicle to safety to prevent further accidents. Call 911 and an investigating officer will prepare a report. Seek medical attention as soon as possible as often injuries do not manifest themselves immediately. Take photos of the damage to the vehicles, conditions of the road, any traffic signs, and visible injuries. Gather all statements from witnesses. Exchange insurance information with the other side and get the truck driver’s information including the company details. Due to the complexity of these accidents, always consult an attorney to protect your legal rights.
Investigating a Semi-Truck Crash
When we are involved in a truck accident case, we will take a number of important steps to investigate the accident. First and foremost, we make sure the investigating officer secures the scene. That ensures safety, allows the gathering of witness statements, the collection of physical evidence, and the taking of photographs. Once this evidence is obtained, they will file an official accident report. We will access the black box data and driver logs and analyze all that information to make sure the driver and company were compliant with both federal and state trucking regulations. Further investigation typically includes checking and examining all cameras from nearby businesses and highways and inspecting all trucking records for proper maintenance and mechanical defects. We may use reconstruction experts to determine the origin of the crash. Finally, we will notify the truck’s insurance company concerning the accident and attempt to negotiate a settlement or proceed to litigation.
How Much Compensation Does the Victim of the Semi-Truck Crash Get?
If a person is involved in a truck accident in Ohio, they may recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages or tangible financial losses, include medical expenses for hospital bills, surgeries, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and continuous care, loss wages for missed work, property damage to their vehicle, and ancillary damages for disability accommodations or personal property. Non-economic damages or intangible losses, involve pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, and loss of consortium. Each case is unique so it is important to schedule a free consultation to have your case evaluated by a semi-truck accident professional.
Dennis P. Sawan
